Battle at Steinkreisdorf - Part One

The Texas Big Battalions Seven Years War game is now history. As reported in several posts recently on the Emperor versus Elector blog, a number of wargamers from Texas, Mississippi, Wisconsin, and divers other locales joined at MilleniumCon in Round Rock, Texas on November 15 to fight a battle in the ongoing campaign between the Electoral forces (Germania, Britannia, and their Germanic allies) and the Imperium (Osterreich, Gallia, and their Germanic allies). This battle was linked to several previous actions that are described on Der Alte Fritz blog. You can see these links to the left.

The objective for the Electoral forces was to halt a Osterreich/Gallian attempt to relief the beleaguered fortress city of Frankfurt. Some 2,500 25-30mm figures were mustered for action. This report will attempt to portray the parts of that battle from the perspective of one of the participants, Col Campbell (my wargaming alter ego). Unfortunately, there weren't enough players for the entire force so in the morning we just fought on the center and one end of the board. The other end of the board was left set up and we fought that battle in the afternoon.

The table was set up in the lobby of the Wingate Inn Conference Center. It was 32 feet (~10m) long and 5 feet (~1.6m) wide. While not as wide it should have been for the Batailles de l'Ancien Regime (BAR) rules, it allowed the participants to get in close very quickly! As always, click on the pictures to see a larger version.

With Ed Youngstrom (red shirt, left rear) and Bill Protz (blue shirt, right rear) giving directions, the forces are deployed on the Champs de Mars.

While Ed gets his official game master portrait made, the commanders gather to admire the troop deployments. Along the right side of the table (game direction south) are Paul (in jacket, Herzog Ignaz of the Herzogtum Pfalz-Kognat-Obersehen), Bill Protz (Msr. Chevert of Gallia and the author of the BAR rules), Fahnrich Brad von Austin (a 13-year old who was later named the game's Most Valuable Player - see the Nov. 15 letter posted on the Emperor versus Elector blog), and a father and son who commanded on the far left Imperial flank.

Markgraf Hapnich of Carpania and his entourage watch the battle from the comfort of his pavilion. Note that his faithful manservant is waiting with a snifter of the Markgraf's favorite schnapps. Frivolous Fiona has brought her own beverage, some fine single malt Scotch whiskey.

A view of the Carpanian infantry brigade with the musketeers on the left backed up by the converged grenadiers, the heavy artillery in the center, and the fusiliers on the right backed up by a battalion of Germanians.

The combined Courland and Sachsen-Wachsenstein brigade, with the Timofievich Cossacks on the far left, then the Tamnii Narod Pandurs, the Courland musketeers and grenadiers (in two lines), the Courland and Sachsen heavy artillery, and the Sachsen-Wachsenstein Contributory Kreis Regiment on the right.

A view of the town of Steinkreisdorf. The monument is the center was brought by me and is patterned on those used by Bill Protz and Der Alte Fritz. In the rear are some of the Imperial infantry drawn up in battle order.

Ed Youngstrom (Landgraf Bogey of Hesse-Fedora) was the game master. Here he gives some general observations prior to the battle beginning.








We were extremely fortunate to have Bill Protz (Messieur Chevert of the Gallian Army), author of the BAR rules present to lend his wisdom to the affair. Here he is explaining how the rules work. The mechanics were very easy to acquire and soon all of us were handling actions almost on our own. Herzog Ignaz (Paul) and Fahnrich Brad are seated to his right and left, respectively.

The battle begins! I was honored to be playing opposite Bill Protz, who commanded a brigade of five or six 2-squadron regiments of Imperial cavalry, including the two squadrons that I brought from the Duchy of Courland. Against this I had two fusilier battalions, one from Carpania (first line) and one from Germania (second line). In this picture you can also see the Hesse-Fedoran brigade to my left and their opponents, the Sachsen-Wachsensteiners.

Msr. Chevert launches his first dragoon regiment against the Carpanian fusiliers. In their first fight, the fusiliers stood firm, shot up the Imperial dragoons, and then chased them off after a fiercely fought melee.

General Gilles (whose last name I unfortunately do not remember) commanded a mixed Gallian and Osterreich infantry brigade. Here the Carpanian musketeer battalion trades opening volleys with some Osterreichers.

On the far western flank of the battlefield was a tremendous clash of heavy cavalry. I think each side had three to four regiments. The Gallian/Osterreichers are on the left and the Germanian/Hesse-Fedorans are on the right. If I remember correctly, the Imperial forces finally prevailed here.

While his cavalry is fighting my fusiliers, Msr. Chevert assists the young Fahnrich Brad in maneuvering and shooting the Sachsen-Wachsensteiners. On the right, the Carpanian grenadiers and heavy artillery occupy Steinkreisdorf without opposition from the Imperials.

With a few losses, the Carpanian fusiliers repulse the Imperial cavalry. But there are more lined up behind these. It would be a long day for the Carpanians!

Further to the east on the battlefield, the Courlanders advance against the Hesse-Fedorans.

An unidentified Imperial commander peers around some trees at the Hesse-Fedoran heavy cavalry as the Courland Timofievich Cossacks gallop into action. Although I wasn't able to keep up with all their activities, I was told after the battle that they covered themselves with glory and were mentioned in the dispatch of General Blei-Sammeln!

As more Imperial cavalry attack the Carpanian fusiliers, the Hesse-Fedoran commander adjusts his line, observed by Fahnrich Brad and the Courlanders and Sachsen-Wachsensteiners

Further to the west, the Carpanian jagers were detached to support a Germanian brigade commanded by General Chris Bump. Chris handled them very well and they assisted in resisting the attack by two Gallian battalions.

The gap between the Germanians of Chris Bump and the Carpanian infantry was filled by the Warsteiner Freikorps and the Hapnich Dragoons. They, along with a Germanian battalion, opposed a Gallian infantry battalion.

After enduring several volleys from the Gallians, Colonel von Valkenhayn launched the dragoons against the Gallians. The combination of the cavalry charge and volleys from the Warsteiners and Germanians was enough to defeat the Gallians and force them to flee for their lives.

Here the victorious Hapnich Dragoons (although at half strength after the melee) keep watch on the Osterreich/Gallian second line. An abandoned Gallian gun stands forlorn to their left.

Meanwhile, the Carpanian fusiliers were finally forced to retire by the Imperial cavalry. But the Germanian fusilier battalion in the second line stepped out smartly and took up where the Carpanians left off, defeating another Imperial attack.

While the Germanians were in action, the Carpanians rallied and reformed under the urging of Baron von Stuppe, the commander of the Carpanian brigade. But still more Imperial cavalry were in the offing and eventually the Carpanian and Germanian fusiliers would be forced from the battlefield by the pressure from Msr. Chevert's well-handled heavy dragoons.

The Carpanian grenadiers held on to the town of Steinkreisdorf at the end of the battle. They assisted the Carpanian musketeers in defeating two Osterreicher battalions, although the musketeers were forced to withdraw due to heavy losses.

On the right flank of the Electorate forces, the Hapnich dragoons, Carpanian jagers, and what was left of the Germanian brigade were able to hold onto the unnamed village. Although the Gallian infantry was still a threat, both sides had fought to a virtual stand-off.

This ends the reporting from the morning's action. The afternoon battle will be reported in another posting.

Courland Marches off to War

After receiving marching orders and the rendezvous from General Chevert, commander of the Gallian Corps of Bohemia, Duke Yakov Alexandrovitch Pavlov of Courland puts his army into motion to join Chevert as he marches to meet General Blei-Sammeln and the Reichsarmee he is organizing. Together they will meet and defeat the Germanians and their allies in the Texas Big Battalions game at MilleniumCon next Saturday (Nov. 15).

With the Duke and his entourage watching from a small hillock, the Courland army leaves the capitol of Jakobstadt. The column is led by a detachment of the Timofoevich Cossacks.
[The Timofievich Cossacks were acquired from Tim Broome, a local wargamer, who is their honorary inhaber.]

Following the Cossacks is a company of the Tamnii Narod Pandur Battalion, led by their commander, Colonel Ignace Alleshazy, a Hungarian mercenary in the employ of the Duke.

As the Pandurs disappear down the road, Colonel Count Ivan Yakovitch Pavlov leads the converged grenadiers from the Pavlovski and Severinski Grenadier Battalions.
[Note: Both my SYW Imagi-nations and Napoleonic Russian armies have the Pavlovski Grenadiers as part of the force strength!]

As the Pavlovski Grenadiers pass by, the Severinski Grenadiers begin to cross the Wodkau stream. In the background, the Duke and his aide, Captain Wintzingerode join the column.
[The Severinski Grenadiers were purchased from
Mark "Extra Cripsy" Severin, who is their honorary inhaber.]

With the Duke now in the march column, the Constantine Heavy Dragoon Squadrons rides into view.
[These Spencer Smith plastic figures were augmented by Peter Constantine, who is their honorary inhaber.]

Here is a better view of the Constantine Dragoons. I converted one of the troopers into the standard bearer. Following them is the Mavromichalis Heavy Dragoon Squadron.

The Mavromichalis Heavy Dragoons were purchased from Ioannis Mavromichalis (owner of the Leuthen Journal). He is their honorary inhaber. They are followed by Major-General Count Alexandrovsky, who leads the combined infantry battalion.

The first two companies are composed of drafts from the Musketeer Battalion Livlanischer Orden while the second two companies are composed of drafts from the Musketeer Battalion Ducal Leibgarde.

Finally the column is brought up with a second company of Tamnii Narod Pandurs and the other half of the Timofievich Cossacks.

The artillery and baggage marched earlier, escorted by a company of the Tamnii Narod Pandurs.

This brings to a close the beginnings of the journey of the forces of Carpania, Courland, and Sachsen-Wachsenstein from Mississippi to Texas for the Big Battalions in Texas game next Saturday. I will be taking plenty of pictures, so tune back in around Thanksgiving for more reports about the game, the convention, and the road trip.

Sachsen-Wachsenstein Marches off to War

Parading before Duke Siegfried, the Sachsen-Wachsenstein Contributory Kreis Regiment prepares to leave the duchy on its way to join the Imperial Reichsarmee for the Texas Big Battalions game at MilleniumCon on Saturday next (Nov. 15).

The regiment is composed entirely of Eureka Seven Years War Saxons, except for the 3-lbr battalion gun, which is from Historifigs (old Jack Scruby line).

As usual, please click on the pictures to see a larger image.

Here we see the entire regiment paraded before the Duke.

Led by the converged grenadier company, the regiment begins its departure from the Paradeplatz.

The grenadiers are then followed by the regimental command group and the musketeers drafted from the Musketeer Regiment von Schlichting.

As the musketeers file past the Duke, the 8-lbr position gun begins its wheel into the column, leaving a gap for the Duke to join the march.

The first of the fusiliers drafted from the Fusilier Regiment von Pflugk now begin to wheel in behind the 8-lbr gun.

Here we can see a close-up of the Duke, the 8-lbr and its crew of four gunners and one fusilier seconded from the infantry, and the lead fusilier company.

The 3-lbr battalion gun is now marching in the departure column, with the second fusilier company bringing up the rear of the column.

These stalwart lead soldiers will soon take their place in the annals of warfare in Imagi-Urope as they help defend the Empress' possessions from the invading Germanians and their allies.

Carpania Marches to War

The army of the Margraviate of Carpania, responding to the call of arms from Elector, marches forth from the capitol of Potzdorf. Led by General der Infanterie Baron von Stuppe, this small, but highly trained force consists of a musketeer battalion, a fusilier battalion, a small converged grenadier battalion, a jager korps, a freikorps company, a small dragoon regiment, and accompanying artillery.

The departure of the army is observed from a small hillock by the Markgraf, Friedrich Hapnich, his lady, and his minister of war. He is initially joined by General Baron von Stuppe and Major General Seamus Campbell, an itinerant Highland mercenary officer.

Proceeded by a portion of the Jager Korps Staffeldunkel, the Freikorps Warsteiner and the 2nd Squadron, Dragoon Regiment Hapnich lead the column. The artillery and baggage has already marched, guarded by a portion of the jagers.

The 2nd Squadron, Dragoon Regiment Hapnich thunders by, led by the regimental commander, Colonel von Valkenhayn.

Following the dragoons is the converged grenadier battalion, composed of small companies from the musketeer and fusilier battalions.

As the grenadiers march out of sight, Generalmajor von Habenbier leads the musketeer battalion, which is composed of drafts from the Zweibieren and Teutonica Musketeer Regiments. In the distance, we can see Rittmeister Staffeldunkel, von Stuppe's ADC approaching the hillock to notify the general that final troops are mustered in the stadtplatz and are prepared to depart.

The Zweibieren contingent passes, closely followed by the Teutonica companies. Rittmeister Staffeldunkel makes his report and the Baron and General Campbell receive the well wishes of the Markgraf and Markgrafin.

As the musketeers leave our view, the 1st (Leib) Squadron of the Hapnich Dragoon Regiment is next, leading the fusilier battalion. Baron von Stuppe, General Campbell, and Rittmeister Staffeldunkel join the column prior to crossing the bridge over the Tinkelwasser which flows outside Potzdorf.

With the cavalry clear, the lead companies of the fusilier battalion, provided by the Fusilier Regiment von Stuppe approach our viewing position. The Baron and his party are moving along the verge of the road to get to the head of the column.

As the Baron's party passes the tail of the von Stuppe fusilier companies, we can now see the fusiliers provided by the Fusilier Regiment Paulaner.

And finally the column rear makes its appearance with the last fusilier company trailed by the final portion of the Jager Korps Staffeldunkel.

So the Army of Carpania has departed Potzdorf. We will next see them at the Texas Big Battalions game at MilleniumCon in Round Rock, Texas on November 15.

The inhabitants of Carpania wish their little lead heroes the best of luck in the coming battle!

Marching off to War

Please re-visit this blog over the coming week as the forces of the Margraviate of Carpania, Duchy of Courland, and Duchy of Sachsen-Wachsenstein march off to particiapte in the Texas Big Battalions game at MilleniumCon on Nov. 15. There will be pictures of the armies marching away from their respective capitols enroute to the Field of Mars.

Sachsen-Wachsenstein Second Contingent

The first group of pictures didn't turn out to well, so I'm trying some larger ones. Hopefully these will do better. As always, please click on the picture for an enlarged view.

Here, again, is the Eureka Saxon command group made from some extra figures.



And the Fusilier Battalion Pflugk, which will join its sister musketeer battalion in the duchy's contributory Kreis Regiment.



A closer shot of the command elements of the battalion. I couldn't find any SYW period Saxon or Saxon duchy flags that interested me, so I just used the Napoleonic era flags from the Warflag site ( www.warflag.com ).



And here is the 8-lb position gun, with its crew of 4 gunners and 1 seconded fusilier.



The 3-lbr battalion piece has only 3 gunners and 1 seconded fusilier (who was a standard bearer into whose hand I glued a piece of wire to be used as a pry bar). In fact the gunner holding the sponge and the one in the rear (actually holding a lintstock) were conversions as well.

Sachsen-Wachsensteiners Finished!

Last night, while being interrupted in handing out candy to the Halloween trick or treaters, I completed the Sachsen-Wachsenstein Contributory Kreis Regiment. All the figures are the very well scupted Eureka Saxons.

With some extra command figures, I made a small command group of an officer with sponton and two drummers, one a musketeer and one a fusilier.





















The Fusilier Battalion Pflugk now joins its sister musketeer battalion.













Sachsen-Wachsenstein has two artillery units, this one with a medium 8-lbr providing some long-range fire support.
















And this 3-lbr light gun is attached to the regiment for close-in fire support. All the gunners are Eureka figures as is the 8-lbr. The 3-lbr is an Historifigs (old Jacks Scruby) Napoleonic gun. Some of the gunners are actually conversions of spare command figures and the two artillery fusiliers are extras from the fusilier battalion.














And finally, my "personal" monument was also completed. It is made from a Ral Partha FIW French mounted officer (Montcalm), suitably bronzed, a cake decoration pillar, the cap from a bottle of Ameretto di Sarono (which was delicious!), and some sheet plastic. The bottom of the cap was filled with spackle to add some weight to the structure.




















All of these figures will accompany me to the Texas Big Battalions game at MilleniumCon in two weeks. I still have to paint 15 Carpanian jagers and five limbers (two each for Carpania and Courland and one for Sachsen-Wachsenstein).